Inclosed fused switch



J. SACHS INCLOSED FUSED SWITCH Original Filed April 50, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet fri..

July 16, 1929 July 16, 1929. J SACHS 1,721,495

INCLOSED FUSED SWITCH Original Filed April C50, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 l Patented July 16, 1929.

' UNITED STATES' PATENT JOSEPH SACHS, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

INcLosEn FUsED SWITCH.

Application led April 30, 1924, Serial No. 709,943. Renewed October 22, 1927. f

This invention relates to the class of electrical devices in which each has a case or box inclosing an insulating base on which a swltch for opening and closmg the c1rcu1t and fuses for protectingthe circuit are mounted,

the switch and fuses being preferably connected in series. In a device of this class the fuses are covered and kept inaccessible from the exterior when the'switch'is closed bythe obstruction offered by the switch handle to the opening movement of the cover over the fuses, and the fuses can only be uncovered and rendered accessible when the switch handle is moved to open the switch.

In my copending applications for Inclosed fused switches, Serial No. 528,934, filed Jan. 13, 1922 and Serial No. 656,182, filed Aug. 7, 1923, I have disclosed devices of the class referredA to, each having an openable .switch cover and an additional means normally preventing access to the fuse but movable to perthereof, and if desired the entire mit access thereto, and each provided with a switch handle adjacent a side wallof the box and movable in a plane substantially parallel thereto, the relationship between the switch handle and the said additional means being such that the handle when inl switch closing position obstructs a laterally movable portion of the said means to prevent movement ofthe said means to the position permitting access to the fuses andthe said relationship further being such that the said additional means y when in the said access ypermitting positionl obstructs the movement of the handle from switch opening position to switch closing position. In each of the devices as specifically disclosed in the said applications there is a switch cover and a fuse cover openable sidewise. The two covers are shownvas hinged directly to a side wall of the box, the opening movement of the fuse coverthus being a sidewise pivotal movement. n

In accordance with the present invention I make use of the principle of a switch cover and an additional means for preventing ac- 'cess to the fuses provided with a portion having direct obstructive relationship with a switch handle movable in a plane parallel with the side of the' box, and preferably I construct the said means as a single lcover openable sidewise; but in addition to these features I providecertain very important improvements. One object of the invention is to so construct the means for preventing access to the fuses that at least a portion means, is

trate rectilinearly `movableparallelly with the front of the box and transversely of the-path of movement of the switch handle for mutually obstructive purposes as described.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the class described wherein the fuses are accessible through an opening in the main cover of the box when the said cover is closed to prevent access to the switches and wherein the said additional means for preventing access to the fuses, obstructively related with the handle as described, is mounted directly on tle said main cover. j

A further object ofthe invention is to so connect the main rcover that the said addi-- A1,721,495- olFlcE.

tional means thereon is bodily movable there? I with when the said cover is opened, the said movement bein permitted Withthe switch handle in switc closing position and preferably with the switch handle in any position.

A still further object of the invention is to In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1l

shows a front yview of one of the devices which embodies the invention. Fig. 2 shows 'a bottom elevation of the same. Fig. 3 shows a front view of the case with the main and auxlhary covers removed in order to expose the interior elements. 4 Fig. 4 shows a verti cal section on the dotted line 4,-4 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing'a modified way of obstructing the movement of the sliding auxiliary cover by the handle.

The case or -box 1 may be made anyl size and shape and in any well known manner, and the'main cover 2 can be fastened thereto by an usual means. The main cover is illusas attached to the case hinges-'and secured on the other side by a perforated tongue 4 or latch through which a lock or seal may be passed, as is common.

Y The insulating base 5 may be supported in the -case in any desired way.' Mounted adjacent the inner face of the base shownis a switch which may be varied'as to details but which is show n as comprising swinging on one side by ing means, those illustrated being screw plug -use shells 12, the center contacts 13 of which are electrically connected with the strips 11 while the shells are electrically connected with terminals 14 provided with binding screws 15. The block illustrated is merely typical, there may be any number of switch blades and any number of fuse receiving means of the desired character, depending upon the service to which the device is to be applied, as is well understood to those skilled in this art.

The switch blades are provided with insulating pieces 16 which are engaged by a crank rod 17 the ends of which extend through and are supported by the walls of the case. One end of the switch operating rod is extended to provide a handle 18. The handle rod may be bent to form a loop as shown in Fig. 2 or may be left straight as shown in Fig. 5. In

either casev the handle includes a part 18a which is movable in a plane substantially parallel to the adjacent side wall ofthe box.

For the sake of economy the switch operat' `ing element is desirably bent to shape frein a single piece of rod or wire of relatively smallv diameter. To prevent the handle from being distorted during use or by design, an inclosing bracket 19 may be secured to the side of the case in such manner that the outside wall will obstruct any attempt to bend the handle outward and the side walls .will form stops for limiting the movements of the handle. The side walls may also have perforations, as shown, through which a lock may be passed for fastening the handle in either its open or closed position.

The fuse receiving means, which maybe of any well known type, are exposed through the opening 2O in the main cover. Associated withthe opening 20 and carried by themain cover 2 is an additional means normally serving to prevent access to the fuse contacts and movable lindependently of the said main ment of thehandle 'from switch opening toswitch closing position; and when the said side part 18L of the handle is in switch closing posltion it directly engages the said portion o fthe additional means to obstruct the rectihnear movement thereof andv to thereby prevent movement of the said means to the position permitting access to the fuses. The

details of the said additional means may be varied but preferably and in accordance with one phase of the invention I provide means which is in the form of a cover rectilinearly movable as an entirety laterally with respect to the main cover.

When constructed as preferred there is provided a cover 21 which is attached to the main cover so as to lslide sidewise or transversely thereto toward and from the path of the switch operating handle. The auxiliary 'cover illustrated has flanges 22 at its lower edges which'are lit-ted to slide under guide plates 23 fastened to the main cover. As illustrated the cover 21 is domed in order to permit the fuses to project somewhat in front of the main cover and when the said cover is domed one end thereof is preferably open and is adapted to fit into and be closed by a head 24 secured to the main cover. The end of the auxiliary cover toward the handle is closed. 'When the auxiliary cover is slid over the fuse receiving means its open endr is closed and stopped by the head. In order' to prevent the complete removal ofthe auxiliary cover when slid to expose the fuse receiving means it is provided with lugs 25 that are adapted to engage stop fingers 26 fastened to the main cover.

The switch operating handle is so shaped that when the switch is closed the handle extends up opposite the closed end of the auxiliary cover and prevents sidewise sliding of the auxiliary cover. When the switch is open the handle is turned down out of the path of the auxiliary cover so that the auxiliary cover is free to be moved transversely and the fuse receiving means exposed for theinsertion or removal of fuses. When the auxiliary cover is drawn out and the fuse receiving means are accessible it 4extends into the -path of the handle so that the switch cannot be closed. It will be observed that when the fuse cover means simply comprises a cov'er such" as 21 which is bodily movable laterally as shown and described, the entire end part thereof, in this case the right-hand end part,

serves as the aforesaid portion having direct plbstructive relationship with the switch han- In the form described the auxiliary cover is of substantially the same length as the width of the main cover and extends close to the path of the switch handle. If the auxiliary cover is shorter than the width of the main cover a plate 27 or other means may be secured to its closed end so as to extnd out adjacent to the path of the handle, `as illustrated in Fig. 5.

With this structure a fused switch can be' provided'which, for example, may be connected to the service side of a meter and the switch at any time be operated from the exable auxiliary cover 'arranged as described the fuses which are alive when in service, cannot be reached until the handle of the switch is turned down'and the switch is open. When the switch is closed ythe handle stands in front of the sidewise moving auxiliary cover over the fuses, and this handle although bent to shape of a single piece of rod cannot be distorted so as to permit the auxiliary cover to be opened. This arrangement, in a simple and cheap manner, ensures safety in the manipulation of the fuses although they may be on theservice side of an installation and are normally alive, for the yfuses cannot be-V reached until the switch is open.

It will be observed that inasmuch as the handle is located entirely at one side of the box and that inasmuch as the fuse cover means is mounted entirely on the main cover it is possible for the main cover to be opened with the switch handle in switch closing position or in fact withV the switch' handle in any position. I have thus provided an inclosed fused switch wherein, when the main cover is closed and s ealed,fit is possible for unau-- thorized persons -to obtain access to the fuses only when the switch is open; and at the same time the construction is such that an authorized person upon breaking the seal can obtain access either to the switches or to thefuses or to both as may be required without opening the switch to interrupt the flow of current.

The invention claimed-is 1. A fused switch comprising in combination, an inclosing box, fuse contacts in the box, a switch in the box, an exterior switch operating handle having at least one part thereof adjacent a side wall of the box and movable in a plane substantially parallel thereto, an openable front cover serving when closed to prevent access to the switch while permitting access to the fuse contacts, and means additional to the said cover normally serving to prevent access tothe fuse contacts and movable independently of the said cover to permit such access, the said means including a portion which is rectilinearly movable parallelly with the front of the box and transversely ofthe path of movement of the said partof th'e handle and which,v whenever the first saidv cover is closed and the said additional meansis in access permitting position, is located in .the aforesaid path so that it directly obstructs movement of the handle from switch opening position. to v.

switch closing position. Y ,12. A fused switch comprising in combination, an inclosing box,fuse contactsin the* boX, a switch in the box, an openable front cover serving when closed to prevent access o the switch while permitting access tothe fuse contacts, means additionalt the saidl cover normally Vserving to prevent access\to the fuse contacts and movable' independently of thev said cover to permit such access, the said means including a portion which is rectilinearly movable parellelly with the front vof the box and substantially perpendicularly to the side wallsthereof and which projects at one side of the box whenever the said cover is closed and the said additional means is in ac- `cess permitting position, and an exterior switch operating handle having at least a part thereof 4adjacent the wall of the box at the last said side thereof and movable from switch closing position to switch opening position in a path which is directly obstructed by the said projectible portion of the said additional means when projecting as aforesaid, the said part of the handle when in switch closing position directly obstructing the rectilinear movement of the said projectible portion so as to prevent movement of the said means to access permitting position.

3. A fused switch comprising in combination, an inclosing box, an insulating base in 'the box, fuse receiving contacts on one face of the base, a switch adjacent another face of the base, an openable front cover serving when closed to prevent accessv to the switch while permitting access to the fuse contacts, means additional to the said cover normally serving to prevent access to the fuse contacts and movable independently of thesaid cover to permit such access, the said means including a portion which is rectilinearly movable parallelly with the front of the box and substantially perpendicularly to the side walls thereof and which projects at one side of the box lwhenever the said cover is closed and the said additional means is in access permitting position, and an exterior switch operating handle having at least a part thereof adjacent vthe wall of the box at the last said side thereof and movable from switch closing position to switch opening position in a path which is directly obstructed by the said projectible portion of the said additional means when projectinoas aforesaid, the said part of thel handle w en in switch closing position directly obstructing the rectilinear movement of the said proj ecti le portion so as to prevent movement ofthe' said means to access permitting position.

4. A switch device comprising in combination, an inclosing box, a switch inthe box, a rectilinearly openable front cover for the box, the opening movement of the cover being parallel with theA front of the box and substantially perpendicular to the side wallsthereof so that a portion of the cover projects at one side ofthe box whenever the cover is open, and an exterior switch o erating handle hav- I' ing at least a part thereof adjacent the ,wall

-of the box at the last said side thereof and -movable from switch ,closing position to switch opening position in a path which is directly obstructedbya horizontal edge of the said projectible portion` of the cover when in projecting position, the s aid side part rof the handle when in switch closing yposition being in the path of the said projectible portion of the cover and thus directly obstructfuse contacts, an additional front cover nor-y mally serving to prevent access to the fuse contacts and rectilinearly openable independently of the irst saidfcover to permit such access, the opening movement. of the cover being parallel with the front of the box and substantially perpendicular to the side walls thereof so that a portion of thevcover projects at one side of the box whenever the saidcover is closed and the last said cover 1s open, and an exterioi switch operating handle having at least a part thereof adjacent the wall of the box at the last said side thereof and movable from switch closing position to switch opening .position in a path which is directly obstructed by` a` horizontal edge of the said projectible portion of the additional cover when in projecting position,`the said side part of the hand-le when in switch closing position being in the path of the said proj ectible portion of the additional cover and thus directly obstructing the opening movement thereof.

6. An electric appliance comprisinga case,-

a maincover with an opening therein and sealable upon thev case, an auxiliary cover mounted to slide on the main cover transversely thereof over the opening therein, an insulating base supported within the c-ase,

a switch mounted upon the base and inaccessible when the main cover is closed, fuse receiving means mounted upon the-base accessible through the opening in the main cover and adapted to be enclosed bythe auxiliary cover, the'switch and fuse receiving means bemgelectrically connected, and means on the exterior of the case movable into and out ofthe path of the transversely sliding auxiliary c over for operating the switch and preventing theg sidewise opening movement olf tle auxiliary cover when the switch is c ose 7 An electric 'appliance comprising a case, a main cover with an opening therein and sealable upon the case, an auxiliary.

cover mounted to slide on lthe main cover transversely thereof over the opening there- 1n, an insulating base supported -within the case, a switch mounted` upon the base and inaccessible when the main cover is closed, fuse receiving means mounted upon the base accessible through the opening in the main coverv and adapted to be enclosed by the auxiliary cover, the switch and fuse receiving means `bein electrically connected, and a handle on t e exterior of the case for operating the switch, said handle extending into the path of and obstructing the sidewise opening movement of the auxiliary cover when the switch is closed, and lying out of the path of sidewise movement of the auxiliary cover when the switch is open.

8. An electric appliance comprising a case, a main cover with an opening therein 'and sealable upon the case, an. auxiliary cover mounted to slide on the main cover.

transversely thereof over the opening therein, an insulating base supported Within the case, a switch mounted upon the base and inaccessible when the main cover is closed, fuse receiving means mounted upon the base accessible through the opening in the main cover and adapted to be enclosed by the auxiliary cover, the switch vand fuse receiving means being electrically connected, and a handle on the exterior of the case for operating the switch, said handle extending into lthe path of and obstructing the sidewise opening movement of theyauxiliary cover when the switch is closed, and lying out of the path of sidewise movement of the auxiliary cover when'the switch is open, and said auxiliary coven when slid sidewise obstructing and preventing the closing movement of the handle. l

9. An electric appliance comprising a case, a main cover with an opening therein and sealable upon the case, an auxiliary cover mounted to slide on the main cover transversely thereof over th'e opening therein, an insulating base supported within the case, a switch mounted upon the base and inaccessible when the main cover is closed, fuse receiving means mounted upon the base accessiblethrough the opening in the main cover and a'dapted to be enclosed by the auxiliary cover, the switch and fuse receiving means being electrically connected, a handle on the exterior of the case for operating the switch, said handle obstructing the sidewise openin movement of the auxiliary cover when t e switch is closed, and means attached to the case to prevent the outward bending of the handle.

10. An electric appliance comprising a case, a main cover with an opening therein andsealable upon the case, said main cover having transversely extending Ways, an auxiliary cover having flanges tted'to slide in said ways over the opening in the main cover, an insulating base supported within the case, a switch mounted upon the base and inaccessible when tlie main cover is closed, fuse receiving means mounted upon the vbase accessible through the opening -in the main cover and adapted to be enclosed by the auxiliary cover, the switch and fuse receiving means being electrically connected, and` a handle on the exterior of the case for operating the switch, said handle extending iiito the path of the transversely sliding auxililo iary cover and obstructing the sidewise movement of the auxiliary cover when the switch isclosed, and lyin out of the path of sidewise movement of te auxiliary cover when the switch is open.

A 11. An electric` appliance comprising a case, a main cover with an opening therein and scalable upon the case, an auxiliary cover mounted to slide on the main cover transversely thereof over the opening therein, a switch mounted in the case, fuse receiving means mounted in the case and accessible through the opening in the main cover and adapted to be enclosed by the auxiliary cover, the switcht andv fuse Areceiving means being electrically connected, and a handle on the exterior of the case for operating the switch said handle extending into the path v, of and obstructing the sidewise opening movement of the auxiliary cover when the switch is closed.

12. An electric appliance comprising a case provided Iwith a main cover having an opening, a sidewise sliding auxiliary cover over said opening, albase supported in the case, a switch and fuse receiving contacts on` said base, the fuse receiving contacts being accessible through the opening in the main cover when the auxiliary cover isopen and inaccessible when the auxiliary .cover is closed, and means accessible on the exterior of the case for operating the switch, the exterior portion of the switch operating means and the auxiliary cover being so related that by direct engagement of and, obstruction by one with the other thelopening of the auxiliary cover is prevented vwhen the switch is closed, and closing of the switch is prevented when the auxiliary cover is open. i

13. An electric appliance comprising a case provided with a main cover having an openmg, a sidewise sliding auxiliary cover over said opening, a base supported in the case,'a switch and fuse receiving contacts on said base, the fuse receiving contacts being accessible through the opening in the main cover when the auxiliary cover is open and inaccessible when the auxiliary cover is closed, means accessible'on the exterior of the case for operating the switch, the exterior portion of the switch operating means and the auxiliary 'cover being so related that opening of the auxiliary cover isprevented when the switch is closed, and closing of thel switch is prevented when the auxiliary cover is open, and means attached tothe case adjacent to the switch operating means to prevent the distortion of the exterior portion of the switch operating means.

14. A fused switch comprising in combination, an inclosing box, fuse contacts in the ,box, a switch in thebox, a front cover for the box normally serving to prevent access 4to the switch, the sald cover having an openbeing movable independently of the said l cover to permit access to the'fuse contacts and including a laterally movable portion which projects at one side of the box whenever the said cover is closed and the said additional means is in access permitting position, and an exterior switch operating handle having at least a part thereof adjacent the wall of the box at the last said side, the said part of the handle being movable from switch closingA position to switch opening position in a path which is directlyv obstructed by the said projectible portion when in projecting position andthe said part of the handle when in switch closing position being in the path of the said projectible por'- tion and thus directly obstructing the movement. of the said additional means to access permitting position, and means connecting the said cover with the box so as to' permit forward opening movement thereof and of the said additional means with the switch handle in switch closing position.

15. A fused switch comprising in combination, an inclosing box, fuse contacts in the box, a switch in the box, a front cover ifor the box normally serving to prevent ac- .cess to the switch, the said cover having an opening therein for permitting access to the fuse contacts, a second front cover carried by the first said cover and normally serving to prevent access tothe fuse contacts, the said 'second cover being openable independently part of the handle being movable from switch v closing position to switch opening position in a path which is directly obstructed by the said projectible portion ofthe second cover when in projecting position and the said side part of the handle when in switch closing position being in the path of the said projectible portion of the second cover and thus directly obstructing the opening movement thereof, and means connecting the first said cover with the box so as to permit forward opening movement of both covers wlth the switch handle in any posltion. 0 16.v A fused switch comprismg 1n comblnation, an inclosing box, fuse contacts 1n the box, a "switch in the b ox, a front cover for the box normally serving to prevent access to the switch, the said cover havlng anopening therein for permitting access to the fuse contacts, an additional front cover carried side, the said side by the first said cover and normally serving to prevent access to the fuse contacts, the

" said second cover being openableindependently of the first said cover to permit access.

to the fuse contacts and having its opening movement parallel with the front of the box and substantially perpendicular to the side walls thereof so that when in theopen position a portion projects at one side of the' first said cover, an exterior switch operating handle carried by the box independently of the" covers and having at least a part thereof ad- ]acent the wall of the box at the last said part of the handle being movable from switch closing osition to switch opening position in a pat which is dlrectly obstructed bythe said projectible portion of the fuse cover when in projecting position and the said side part of the handle when in switch closing position be- 17. A fused switch comprising in combination, an inclosing box, fuse contacts in the box, a switch in the box, an exterior switch operating handle having at least one part thereof adjacent a side wall of the box and movable in a plane substantially parallel thereto, an openable front cover serving when closed to prevent access to the switch while permitting access to the fuse contacts, means additional to the said cover normally serving to prevent access to the yfuse contacts and movable independently of the said `cover to permit such access, the said means including a -portion which is rectilinearl movable parallelly with the front ofl the ox and transversely of the path of movement of the said part of the handle and which, whenever the\ first said cover is closed and the said additional means is in access permitting position, islocated in the aforesaid path so that it directly obstructs -movement of the handle from switch opening position to switch closing position, and means attached .to the box adjacent to the switch operating means to prevent the distortion of the exterior portion of the switch operating means.

' JOSEPH SACHS. 

